Thursday's arrest comes just over week before Mexico votes for a new president. The ruling National Action Party has lost support due to the drug violence ravaging the country. The constitution bars Calderon from running for re-election.

The U.S. Treasury said last month Americans were banned from doing any business with two of Guzman's sons, who were identified as Ivan Guzman and Ovidio Guzman, under the terms of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act.